Rape case against Providence man set for trial – Cache Valley Daily

LOGAN — A jury trial has been scheduled for Wyatt D. Martin. The 22-year-old Providence man is charged with raping three woman in 2017 and 2018.

Martin appeared in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. He was previously charged with two counts of rape, two counts object rape and one count of aggravated kidnapping, all first-degree felonies; along with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony and three misdemeanors. The charges are part of three separate cases.

Defense attorney Jeanne Campbell requested the trial, explaining that she and the prosecutor had been unable to reach a plea agreement in the case. She said it would likely take four days and only involve the first of the three cases against her client.

The trial will involve the first victim, who claimed Martin raped her during a party at his home on September 22, 2018. She said the assault took place in his bedroom, after she had been pressured to drink alcohol by other party goers.

The woman told police how Martin ripped her shirt off and threw her on a bed as she told him “no” and resisted. He allegedly told her to, “Just let it happen.” She also described trying to push the victim away until he threatened to tie her up with a strap. She explained that she later had to seek medical care at a hospital because of the severity of her injuries after the rape.

During Monday’s court appearance, Judge Thomas Willmore scheduled the trial to begin May 5. He ordered both sides to appear for a final pre-trial conference April 7.

Martin has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, claiming that he was falsely accused. He is being held in the Cache County Jail without bail since his arrest, October 8, 2018. He could face up to life in prison if convicted.

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